Unique Wedding Locations
Not so long ago, wedding location choices were simple: a church or temple, the grand ballroom of a luxury hotel or a private home were places where couples got married. Today, the sky's the limit, and some adventurous couples actually take their vows while aloft in hot-air balloons. Anything goes, and more so if your wedding will be an informal one.
The location you choose to set your ceremony and reception provides the foundation for your wedding style. Once you've made that crucial decision, you can start to compile the guest list, consider the music and flowers, and tend to all the other details. If yours is to be a theme wedding, your site will help bring your vision to life. The great hall of a rented mansion is ideal for a Renaissance theme, while carefully cultivated museum gardens would perfectly frame an afternoon Victorian wedding.
The place of the ceremony has a ripple effect on the rest of the celebration. Most ceremonies are still religious affairs, so couples typically begin at their church or synagogue. The reception site must be within an easy drive, unless your place of worship has party facilities on the premises.
Private Homes or Gardens
There's a special warmth and personality unique to the home wedding. The event can be a formal, catered affair or an informal ceremony and do-it-yourself reception.
Size is the crucial factor in considering a home or garden wedding. Couples these days are opting to take their home wedding outdoors, with the help of a rented tent.
Private Clubs
Private clubs are lovely settings, but few open their doors to non-members. Private clubs often have exquisite banquet rooms and lush grounds - many are situated at the edge of a golf course. They offer most of the same amenities as hotels, and their atmosphere is a bit more private.
Hotels
A hotel can be a glorious setting for a formal wedding. In terms of style, hotels have some distinct advantages. The staff personnel are pros at staging large events, and equipment is usually available every day, from dance floors to chairs, tables and salad forks. They usually can accommodate hundreds of guests, and easily house both the ceremony and the reception.
Mountains, Parks and Beaches
Once considered offbeat, this type of wedding now typically includes all the traditional rituals. The setting adds a touch of adventure to the celebration.
Ships and Boats
Waterborne weddings are gaining favor in areas where a lake, river or the ocean plays a prominent role in the landscape and lore. Riverboats, cruise ships and chartered yachts all make for fancy, unforgettable wedding sites.
Wineries
Many wineries are lovely old buildings nestled in rolling, vine-covered hills - a beautiful setting for a unique wedding. Several rent their facilities, but prices vary widely, so investigate before making a decision. Remember, wine country gets hot in the summer. Spring and fall are the best months for winery weddings.
Historical or Public Sites
A grand old plantation house, an elegant flagstone mansion, a breathtaking mountain lodge ... there are hundreds of magnificent homes that have been donated over the years to cities or states and can be rented for weddings. If you've always wanted to live in the world of Gatsby or Scarlett, this is your chance. Museums, arboretums and formal gardens also make for beautiful or whimsical settings. There are even a few castles, both in the United States and abroad, that will open their doors to a wedding celebration.
